ON LOCATION
The event drew correctional professionals and formerly incarcerated people from across the nation.
Chicago Beyond Hosts Second National Justice Convening
The event brought together a full spectrum of individuals impacted by incarceration, seeking solutions for safer facilities By CN Staff National philanthropic organization Chicago Beyond hosted its second National Justice Convening Oct. 29-30 in Chicago. The gathering aimed to improve safety for people within U.S. jails and prisons, showcasing practical strategies to implement Chicago Beyond’s Holistic Safety Framework into facilities, using real-world examples of collaboration as successful case studies. Attendees represented more than half of the states in the U.S. and collectively represented systems impacting 15% of incarcerated people and 20% of correctional staff nationwide. This year’s agenda centered on the goal of driving change for people involved in and impacted by corrections nationwide. Those in attendance included correctional administrators, people formerly incarcerated, correctional union leaders and staff members as well as partners from Illinois, Arizona, Connecticut, Hawaii, New York, Nebraska, Vermont and more. There were also several powerful instances where the voices of people
Liz Dozier, Chicago Beyond’s Founder and Chief Executive Officer, and Nneka Jones Tapia, Psy.D., Managing Director of Justice Initiatives, encouraged attendees to be open and vulnerable when participating in group engagement activities. This
See On Location, page 39→
Correctional News Editorial Advisory Board Members (from left to right) Nick Deml, Wayne Salisbury and Nneka Jones Tapia, Psy.D., with Correctional News President Torrey Sims.
currently incarcerated were included through virtual platforms and audio recordings. With a theme of “Connection in Corrections” the gathering focused on the power of connection and uplifted the remarkable work happening in correctional facilities across the country. Event programming also shed light on efforts to reconsider punitive mental models in corrections and embrace more humanity and dignity for all.
New Impact Report Released A new holistic safety impact report released at the Convening shows that systems and facilities that are applying the tenets of Chicago Beyond’s Holistic Safety Framework are witnessing significant examples of positive change. The framework centers on the core principles of collaborative engagement between administrators, staff and people who are incarcerated and uplifting psychological safety. Through the framework, Chicago Beyond works with correctional administrators to more comprehensively, thoughtfully, and strategically engage their staff and incarcerated populations along a continuum.
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